We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 10 o'clock. I was on my way from fetching water from the nearby water source when I received a message notification on my phone. I did not bother to check its contents since I thought it was the regular messages from the service provider. Upon reaching home, I heard my neighbors narrating how they had received the transfer. I immediately called the helper to confirm the Sms on the phone. I was surprised and extremely happy when I was informed that I had received my transfer. I called the other members of my household to inform them about the aid that we had anticipated from GiveDirectly which would solve most of our financial problems.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I am happy and optimistic that I will finally be able to own a decent shelter for the family. Previously, I had to be sheltered in my neighbour's house something that deprived me of privacy and happiness in my life. I can not wait for the moment when I will finally reside in my own house once I complete the construction. I am very grateful to GiveDirectly for the transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have desired to own a decent shelter for my family. This is because our house collapsed one year ago and I was forced to seek refuge from our neighbors together with my 8 children. Life has not been easy since we lost the privacy and joy that we used to have before our house fall. I had not been able to reconstruct a new one due to the poverty condition in the family. After receiving the transfer, I spent most of it to purchase the building materials including 22 irony sheets at KES 800 each, building poles, nails and set aside some for labour costs. In addition, I spent KES 5000 to pay part of the school fee for my 7 children who are in primary school. Moreover, I spent KES 6000 to purchase clothes for my children, they were wearing worn-out ones something that make me embarrassed. lastly, I bought sufficient stock with the remaining amount.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means decent shelter for our family of 9 members. This has been my ambition for the past 2 years but due to financial constraints, this dream has never come to pass. I planning to spend 60,000 KES to construct a 2 rooms house so that we can live comfortable. The current house leaks during rainy seasons which make us seek shelter in the neighbours village. Other than that, I will spend the remaining amount to renovate the roof of my parents structure which is almost collapsing so that they can enjoy life too.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is my happiest part of the day. It is at this time when I enjoy preparing my siblings so that we can live to school and study. Hoping that we will pass and support our parents who are struggling for our needs. Unlike in the evening when I am tired and I need to rest.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a reliable source of income is my biggest hardship. We are eight siblings in the house and we depend on our parents who works in town as casual labourers. The wages of 200 KES each are not enough to sustain all our needs such as shelter. This is the reason as to why we still seek shelter from neighbours during rainy seasons.
